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Daoist monk Zhou Xuan Yun (Mysterious Cloud), grew up in a temple on Wudang Mountain, China where he was a student and later an instructor of Taiji and Kung Fu. He belongs to the Orthodox Unity sect of Daoism, and is trained in ritual arts, chanting, divination, and internal alchemy. He is formally recognized as a disciple of Li Guang Fu, Head Daoist monk on Wudang Mountain. At the age of 20, Xuan Yun left Wudang Mountain to live as a wandering monk. He traveled alone around China for four years, in order to seek out and dialogue with fellow martial artists. Master Xuan Yun currently divides his time between China and the United States. In China, he offers classes on traditional Wudang martial arts, Qi Gong, and Daoist philosoply. He also teaches workshops in the United States. With over ten years of teaching experience, he has taught students of all ages and from over 25 different countries. He has been featured in several Chinese documentaries on the martial arts, and is a featured writer for Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine. Zhou Xuan Yun can be contacted at info@DaoistGate.com.
Seminar: Learn the Mysterious Art of Wudang Taiji.
Beautiful Wudang Mountain is the world's largest Daoist center. Daoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy that teaches its practitioners to live a peaceful, refined life in harmony with nature. Centuries ago, Daoist philosophy, such as yin/yang theory, was adopted into the martial arts trained by the monks of the Wudang monasteries, and Wudang Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) was created.
Taijiquan, or 'Grand Ultimate Fist', is a set of gentle, flowing movements which promotes exceptional health and well-being. Taijiquan emphasizes the development of a strong root, proper body alignment, efficient movement, and a calm and relaxed mind and body. The application of Taijiquan reveals it is an effective martial art specializing in using softness to overcome hardness, uprooting the opponent, redirecting incoming force, and striking vital points.
This workshop will discuss the relationship between Daoism and Taiji Quan. Master Zhou will lead a warm-up section, and then teach the essential skill of zhan-zhuang, or standing meditation, which develops the Qi (energy) throughout your body. A section of the 108-posture Wudang Taijiquan sequence will be demonstrated, and each posture instructed separately with martial applications. The ancient art of Wudang Taijiquan has much wisdom to offer beginners and experienced martial arts practitioners of all styles.